USVI pushes marijuana law! No hope for BVI?
The neighbouring US Virgin Islands (USVI) is one step closer to making recreational marijuana a reality, as an advisory board last week approved critical regulations needed to fully implement the law in that territory.
The USVI made it legal for adults to use marijuana for medicinal, sacramental and other uses in 2023, but critical regulations were yet to be approved.
Now that certain approvals have been obtained, the USVI government will be moving to host a 30-day public comment period for citizens to give their views.
The USVI government is also finalizing a list of people they think are qualified to have their criminal records expunged of simple cannabis possession. With this major movement on cannabis legalization in the USVI, questions are again being raised about the BVI’s Cannabis Licensing Bill, which has been stuck at the Governor’s Office since 2020.
The law was proposed under the previous Andrew Fahie administration, and was touted as a tool that could grow the BVI economy by attracting new local and foreign investment.
However, then Governor Augustus Jaspert didn’t give the law royal assent, stating that he had given the proposed legislation to UK officials to decide on. He also said the BVI must work with UK officials to establish into law a Cannabis Authority that will monitor the local industry.
After Jaspert’s departure from the BVI, a number of developments — including the Commission of Inquiry and the arrest of Fahie — pushed the proposed Cannabis Licensing Bill from the spotlight.
Since then, elected leaders have been focused on passing critical legislation that the UK demanded as they endeavour to prevent Britain from seizing control of the territory’s political affairs.
In the meantime, as the USVI moves forward with their marijuana laws, many believe visitors will have one more reason to choose that destination over the BVI.
The USVI has been deemed a booming tourist destination since COVID-19. Speaking in the House of Assembly on December 18 last year, D6 Representative Myron Walwyn cited a media report that said the USVI had the highest level of hotel occupancy in the Caribbean from June 2021 to mid-2022, while the BVI continues to see declines in stop-over visitors.
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Weed is a billion dollar business in the states.
US has land to grow weed, and the type of weed, how its grown is regulated. weed also needs alot of water and attention
We dont have land to grow at commercial scale, we barely have water and we dont regulate nothing in th BVI. it will be another BI-WATER/BVI AIRWAYS incident.
Then the first bad batch of weed a tourist get will bring the lawsuits. Focus on the roads and the schools.
A myopic perspective at best. A half acre of Marijuanna can change a persons financial situation with a progressive economy, policies and laws surrounding. The same cant be said for banana or potatoes. The potential for profit will see innovation on farmers part with regards to procuring water and other necessities. The very hault of prosecution of marijuanna related crimes would see a boost in our countries profits and less “criminals’ to feed.
Poicies and ventures by government should benifit the whole. a half acre of weed will do nothing for the economy. But thats how it is, the majority thinking “me” and not “VI”. Just as short-sided as the last 30 years of Gov.
Most of the weed is grow in small factory buildings. You really don’t need that much land to grow a lot. Also if it is taxed said money could be used to fix things like infrastructure.
Why is the BVI always playing catch up as opposed to being a front-runner/leader? Regionally where cannabis is concerned we are relegated to being backward thinking!
Is it lack of trust in Government (current and past) to drive this forward? I mean really; what’s the hold up people?!?! I have friends in neighboring Puerto Rico that have made millions since legalization and are ready to assist me over here!!! What’s the friggin hold up?
The laws need changing to reflect the current global views on decriminalizing cannabis!!
EATING OUR LUNCH
When you owned and controlled by the Pale Walkers they will do anything to KEEP YOU DOWN. They want you to continue to consume as much alcohol as possible.Please continue to snort and pop pills.
Is that a quote from Terry Pratchett?
No bank in the BVI will be able to touch any funds that are involved in the weed industry. That’s just a fact imposed by the US and other correspondent banks. Government was told this long before the Fahie bill was introduced, but he went ahead for local political reasons, knowing that the Governor could never assent.
I’m very much in favour of legalizing weed for personal medical use, but growing it commercially is just out of the question in a territory as small as the BVI and one that is dependent upon international financial services.
Tortola stuck in the past.
Antiquated thinking, religious fervor and moralistic apprehension still rules here.
Some pot to smoke won’t cure the damage done by the short sighted worshipping of cruise ship passengers. Tourism dies at 3 pm, except for the alcohol based daytrippers and el cheapo pack a bag lunch bareboat sailors.
Overnight tourism is all but dead in the BVI
Overpriced horrible food, name me one restaurant in town that is tasty and reasonably priced, absolute joke comment, get a grip and pack your lunch BVI not worth it
The USVI is talking about RECREATIONAL pot.
Our oul Premier was cooking up something very different than this.
With all the religious folks here in the BVI there is zero chance anyone is going to legalize recreational weed. All they talking about now is a stop to gay marriage.
Agreed 100% that legalize recreational weed would be a giant boom to tourism. AND Agreed that this government should focus 100% on this (tourism is 100% of the real peoples economy).
Even the street guys didn’t support the Government’s move for medical marijuana so nothing will happen here. People here are comfortable with the status quo
U ALL BAWLING , LIKE IF WEED THE WEED IS GOING TO TAKE US TO HEAVEN & AND IF WE DON’T , WE ARE GOING STRAIGHT TO HELL . ARE THE US – USVI OR PUERTO RICO CRIME FREE ? / U GOT TO BE THE SAME IDIOT WHO WROTE THOSE BLOGGS , STAY ON YOUR YELLO SITE / AMD LET BVI NEWS BREATHE FRESH AIR SITE IN PEACE – NUH / OR , YOU OWN BOTH ?
Just legalize or decriminalize already. Enough is enough. Politcians and UK playing with the people. Both set wants control. Let the people grow their own end of story.
Imagine this product is worth more than its weight in gold yet we cant have tourist consuming it legally.
We cant have our farmers growing it for the local industries and mandate they grow food too?
We cant have our people growing this at home to save cash and reinvest it elsewhere? Men & women have to access criminal dealers instead of planting a seed in peace?
Boy are we dumb or UK dont want us to thrive. Three governors and not one can say hey we need to get this passed for the people?
Legalize it!